'17 FL WR Michael Smith (Pitt Verbal)

[BobbyMac]

WR
Vero Beach, FL
Vero Beach HS

Measurements:
Ht: 6-2
Wt: 205

Ratings:
247 Comp...... NR

247................ NR
Rivals............. NR
Scout............. NR
ESPN.............. NR

Offers:
Notre Dame
Pitt
Indiana
UConn
UMass
FIU

Media Links:

Twitter - @cantguardmike11

Hudl - Michael Smith

Highlights:

<iframe src='//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/5395543/582a72b7688ec22aec882e36' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[BobbyMac]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Per his coach, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NotreDame?src=hash">#NotreDame</a> has offered 2017 <a href="https://twitter.com/VBFootball">@VBFootball</a> WR, Michael Smith, who recently officially visited <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pitt?src=hash">#Pitt</a>: <a href="https://t.co/jisUEgsoBT">https://t.co/jisUEgsoBT</a></p>— Corey Bender (@Corey_Bender) <a href="https://twitter.com/Corey_Bender/status/811615822074548224">December 21, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[BobbyMac]

Story from Jon Santucci of the TCPalm:

Super 11 Spotlight: Vero Beach WR Michael Smith

Vero Beach High School has produced an impressive list of wide receivers that went on to sign with major schools the past five years.

M.J. McGriff, the area's all-time leading receiver, signed with Illinois. Javonte Bagley currently is at Louisville. Charlie Miller and Will Dawkins went to Northern Illinois and Indiana, respectively. Jamario Lambert signed with Louisiana Tech.

Michael Smith wants to be the next guy on that list.

"I want to be a better receiver and play better overall so I can get a scholarship and play at the next level," said Smith, rated No. 8 on the TCPalm Super 11. "It's going to take a lot of hard work. The only thing I can do is work hard and I'm giving my all every day in practice."

Smith hasn't had a lot of varsity playing time yet — he had only five catches last season — but has a frame (6-foot-3, 215 pounds) and skill set that has college coaches intrigued. Florida A&M and Tennessee-Martin — both FCS programs — made scholarship offers this spring and several others showed interest.

"He is a guy that can stretch the field," Vero Beach coach Lenny Jankowski said. He's got run-away-from-you kind of speed. On top of that he has a 6-3 frame and he has punt return ability. He's got a unique combination of freakish athleticism and he's still just figuring out how to play football."

Vero Beach had a quartet of experienced senior receivers last season, which is the primary reason Smith spent most of last year on the sidelines.

The other reason? Jankowski said Smith didn't make enough of the opportunities he did have on the field.

Still, there were moments when Smith showed what he can do — including making a clutch fourth-quarter catch for a first down in the regional semifinals against eventual Class 8A state runner-up Kissimmee-Osceola.

With that senior group, including McGriff, gone, the expectation is Smith will emerge as the Fighting Indians top receiving threat this fall.

"He can be a go-to guy," Jankowski said. "He can provide that. He can really run. He's the type of kid that should dominate any time the ball is near him. I don't have any concerns about him. He's putting in the time, the work and the effort into it. Sometimes he just has to have that mental thing where he understands that he has the ability to dominate every time out. When it becomes natural for him, the sky is the limit."

With Vero Beach introducing a whole new group of receivers, as well as a new quarterback in Mike Dean, this fall, Smith feels the need to be a playmaker and a leader.

"I feel like I have the most responsibility now to carry the team," he said. "I feel as one of the players on the team, I have to keep the tradition going.

"I feel like I have a lot to prove and I want to play my role — stretch out the defense, make big plays, be a better teammate, you name it. I want to be a team leader, too. Be a team leader. I definitely want to be a leader for the other receivers."

 

[ab2cmiller]

Late bloomer stuck behind a bunch of Seniors during his junior year and didn't make the most of the limited snaps he got.

Senior year blows up.

Stats

Jr. Year - 5 receptions 100 yards 1 touchdown
Sr. Year - 66 receptions 1,556 yards, 23 touchdowns

 

[irishff1014]

His comp must be bad.Not sure how he isn't rated though.

 

[BobbyMac]

And if he's 6-3, 215 with "freakish athletic ability" and "run away from you speed" sounds like someone who could thrive in a 4-2-5 defensive scheme.

 

[Big23Head]

His comp must be bad.Not sure how he isn't rated though.

On a state level, his team is in the same class as Studstill's HS.

 

[irishff1014]

On a state level, his team is in the same class as Studstill's HS.

Interesting.

 

[Big23Head]

Interesting.

After looking more, they actually stomped Amari Carter/Vandarius Cowan's team early in the year.

 

[ab2cmiller]

This article makes it sound as if he is pretty new to football and was a "converted" basketball player. Might explain part of the big leap from Junior year to Senior year.
Athlete of the Week: Vero Beach's Mike Smith | WPEC

 

[dublinirish]

his team lost out in state semi's to Dr. Phillips (perennial powerhouse)

Vero Beach receiver Michael Smith sets area touchdown record

 

[calvegas04]

gonna mess up our star average rating

 

[dwshade]

If we have available scholly I'd take him. Never know you might find a diamond in the rough.

 

[Cackalacky]

Dat offer list.

 

[BobbyMac]

It's 8A football. Highest level. They made it to the state semi's, finished 11-1. They play the Palm Beach schools where Coney and Studstill went.

MaxPreps had them as the 10th ranked team in all divisions

 

[BobbyMac]

If we have available scholly I'd take him. Never know you might find a diamond in the rough.

You must be new here... Welcome to IE!

 

[Free Manera]

It's 8A football. Highest level. They made it to the state semi's, finished 11-1. They play the Palm Beach schools where Coney and Studstill went.

MaxPreps had them as the 10th ranked team in all divisions

His speed looks pretty good then. Size is good. What's with the low/no ranking? The low junior stats combined with poor route running? All those clips were basically vertical routes with one move or middle screens so you can't learn much about his routes from that.

 

[gkIrish]

If we have available scholly I'd take him. Never know you might find a diamond in the rough.

I mean there have to be other players with a better offer list than that we could poach late in the cycle. But I am not a film guy so whatever.

 

[dublinirish]

His speed looks pretty good then. Size is good. What's with the low/no ranking? The low junior stats combined with poor route running? All those clips were basically vertical routes with one move or middle screens so you can't learn much about his routes from that.

accurate for 90% of HS receiver tape

 

[NDPhilly]

Wish there were more jump ball situations in his film but he does well in the limited amount that were shown. Considering he's playing against the highest classification in Florida I think his speed is pretty solid for his size. He gets behind the coverage pretty easily although a lot of those seem to be DB screwed up assignments. Doesn't do anything really spectacular but considering who he's playing against I think he looks like a high 3 star.

 

[tko]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uoPPNpPa0mY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[ab2cmiller]

Tweet from back on Nov 1.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NotreDame?src=hash">#NotreDame</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OhioState?src=hash">#OhioState</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Arkansas?src=hash">#Arkansas</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UConn?src=hash">#UConn</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NCState?src=hash">#NCState</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCF?src=hash">#UCF</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCF?src=hash">#UCF</a> all showing interest in <a href="https://twitter.com/VBFootball">@VBFootball</a> WR Michael Smith. <a href="https://twitter.com/cantguardmike11">@cantguardmike11</a></p>— Jon Santucci (@JonSantucci) <a href="https://twitter.com/JonSantucci/status/793574471483416576">November 1, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[BoredIrish]

Sign him up at safety.

 

[ab2cmiller]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Via <a href="https://twitter.com/RyanBartow">@RyanBartow</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NotreDame?src=hash">#NotreDame</a> offered '17 WR Michael Smith, who had a huge senior season. Visit set for South Bend <a href="https://t.co/mUu8UcR3No">https://t.co/mUu8UcR3No</a> VIP <a href="https://t.co/KguCoIp4Hs">pic.twitter.com/KguCoIp4Hs</a></p>— Tom Loy (@TomLoy247) <a href="https://twitter.com/TomLoy247/status/811628897779458048">December 21, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Big23Head]

OV to ND Jan 20th per Corey Bender

http://www.scout.com/college/notre-...emen-lounge/15257413-new-offer-out-of-florida

 

[Sherm Sticky]

You all are crazy IMO.

I don't care that this kid only runs like 4 routes in high school. Learning routes can be taught, especially in a redshirt year.

With his size this kid is a freak athlete. Sign him up immediately.

I don't care about his offer list. Remember Will Fullers offer list?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[fightingirish26]

I think this staff has proven that they can be trusted with WR recruiting

 

[irishff1014]

You all are crazy IMO.

I don't care that this kid only runs like 4 routes in high school. Learning routes can be taught, especially in a redshirt year.

With his size this kid is a freak athlete. Sign him up immediately.

I don't care about his offer list. Remember Will Fullers offer list?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hell yea

 

[ThePiombino]

I mean there have to be other players with a better offer list than that we could poach late in the cycle. But I am not a film guy so whatever.

HAHAHA! Was going to say, "Cue the Will Fuller comments." But then....

You all are crazy IMO.

I don't care that this kid only runs like 4 routes in high school. Learning routes can be taught, especially in a redshirt year.

With his size this kid is a freak athlete. Sign him up immediately.

I don't care about his offer list. Remember Will Fullers offer list?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This site is so predictable lol

 

[BGIF]

His speed looks pretty good then. Size is good. What's with the low/no ranking? The low junior stats combined with poor route running?

Apparently he did NOT go to recruiting service combines. The nerve of him. How are the gurus supposed to know he scored 24 TDs with an average 23+ yds per catch if he doesn't go to their camps? They crossed him off before the season with 5 CAREER catches. Apparently dad doesn't have a twitter account to make the turtleneck crowd look up to date.

By the way where did you see poor route running?

36% of his touches were touchdowns in what is reported to be quality, Florida competition. He didn't do this in Rhode Island or in a 6 man team league.

All those clips were basically vertical routes with one move or middle screens so you can't learn much about his routes from that.

Duh? 24 TDs on 66 receptions ... 23+ yds/catch!

What play did you expect the coach to call ... 10 yd outs?

Seriously, 23 yds/catch on 66 balls.

There was 11 minutes of video there and a lot of him taking the ball into the endzone.

I saw him run vertical routes, run a curl AND then take it to the house leaving the defenders far behind, ... on a curl, an intermediate slant over the middle ... for another TD, ... and some deft footwork on those screens. I saw him get separation.


Did you watch the QB on those plays? On most he just wound up and heaved the ball downfield ... as far as he could.

Smith showed a nice ability to adjust to the ball ... making an over shoulder catch in stride, leaping one hand grabs, and several times slowing down, having beaten the defenders badly, to "come back" for underthrown balls ... and still score.

Most of the plays were probably called "Smith TD on 2", "Smith TD on 3", or "Throw as far as you can; Smith you run under it".

By far, most of the receivers that come to ND don't show up polished runners. Going long was Golden Tates only route as a freshman. He learned. Several other touted WRs ended up playing their last year or two somewhere other than ND because they didn't.